Carpet-stretcher.



N0. 639,7l8. Pat entedD'ec. 26, I899.-

W. H. DEXTER.

CARPET STRETCHEB. (Application filed Sept. 29, 1899.)

(N9 Model.)

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Mrs STATES PATEN g ms.

WILLIAM H. DEXTER, OF DELMAR, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN OR OF ONE HALF TO MAURICE D. l-IOlVE, OF SAME PLACE.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,718, dated December 26, 1899. Application filed September 29, 1899 Serial No. 732,083. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. DEXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Delmar, in the county of Tioga and State of Pennsylvania, haveinventedanew and useful Carpet-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to carpet-stretchers, and has for its object to provide improved means for conveniently and effectively stretching a carpet and for holding the latter after it has been stretched, so as to facilitate the tacking or securing thereof. Itis, furthermore, designed to provide means to prevent binding of the device upon the carpet and floor, thereby to insure a positive and free action of the stretcher, and, finally, to connect and brace the parts of the device, so as to prevent loosening or separation thereof and to maintain a strong and durable structure.

To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the ad vantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a carpet-stretcher constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrated in the first position of the stretching operation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stretcher in the final position and holding the carpet as stretched.

Corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings are designated by like characters of reference.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the body of the stretcher, and is formed from a single length of board of suitable size. Projecting longitudinally in front of the body of the stretcher is an extension 2, also formed from asingle length of board and loosely connected to the front end of the body by means of one or more hinges 3, located upon the under sides of the body and the extension, so as to permit of the contiguous ends thereof being elevated to draw the outer end of the extension inward toward the body, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Fixed transversely across the outer end of the hinged extension is a cross-head 4, which projects laterally at opposite sides of the body 1 and is provided upon its underneath side with suitable prongs or teeth 5. Suitable braces 6, preferably metal rods, diverge from opposite sides of the hinged extension and are connected at their outer ends to the crosshead 4 and near the opposite ends thereof. Fitted to the upper side of the hinged extension is a bowed handle '7, which inclines upwardly and rearwardly across the hinged connection between the extension and the body and is provided at its upper extremity with an eye 8for engagement with a hook 9, loosely connected to the upper side of the body, so as to hold the stretcher in its final position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The body 1 is loosely connected to a substantially U -shaped frame 10, which is formed from a single metal rod bent intermediate of its ends to form the opposite divergent members 11 and the straight transverse head 12, which extends transversely across the upper side of the body, near the rear end thereof, and is hinged thereto by means of a plate 13, fasten ed to the upper side of the body and provided with suitable eyes 14,1oosely embracing the transverse head. The opposite side members extend a suitable distance in advance of the cross-head 4, passing loosely through suitable guides 15,provided near opposite ends of the cross-head, and each member having its free extremity bent downwardly to form a sharp prong or tooth 16. In forming the prong it is preferable to first bend the rod upwardly and then downwardly, so as to provide a driving-head 17', and then wrap the sides of the head with Wire 18, so as to prevent the prong from becoming bent or straightened out during the operation of the stretcher.

Located beneath the rear end of the body 1 is a roller 19, which extends transversely across the stretcher and is journaled at opposite ends upon opposite pendent flanges 20, which extend longitudinally at opposite sides of the body. This roller is adapted to rest upon the floor,so as to facilitate the movement of the body. a

In the operation of the stretcher the opposite prongs 16 are driven .into the floor adjacent to the wall of the room. The handle 7 is then elevated, so as to break upward the hinged joint between the body and the hinged extension, and thereby draw the cross-head 4 inwardly or toward the rear of the device. The prongs 5 of the cross-head are then engaged with the carpet and the handle is forced downward until the body and the hinged extension are brought into alinement, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby forcing the cross-head forward, and consequently stretching the carpet toward the prongs 16. After the hinged extension has been forced down as far as it can go the hook 9 is engaged with the eye 8 in the end of the handle, so as to hold the stretcher in its extended position, and thereby prevent the carpet from slipping and to hold the latter as stretched. It will now be apparent that the body is hingedly connected to the frame, so as to permit of the vertical movement thereof, and the roller is designed to prevent binding of the body by rolling freely upon the floor.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the contiguous ends of the parts or members of the body form shoulders which abut in the extended position of the body, so as to prevent the hinge connection from accidentally breaking upward.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a carpet-stretcher, the combination of a two-part body, having a hinge joint or connection to break upwardly only, means for engagement with the carpet and. carried by one of the parts, the other part having aslidable bearing upon the carpet, an operatinghandle for forcing downwardly the joint-ed ends of the parts, and a substantially U- shaped frame hinged to the latter part of the body, the opposite sides of the frame extending in advance of the body, and provided at their free extremities with means with engagement with the floor.

2. In a carpet-stretcher, the combination with a frame for engagement with the floor, of atwo-part body having its rear end hingedly connected to the rear end of the frame, and provided with a hinged joint or connection to break upwardly, and connecting the parts of the body, and an antifriction-roller or the like carried by the rear part of the body, and adapted to travel upon the floor, in the operation of the stretcher, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a carpet-stretcher, the combination of a two-part body, having a hinge joint or connection to break upwardly only, a cross-head extending transversely of the forward part, and having prongs or teeth for engagement with the carpet, loop-shaped guides at opposite ends of the cross-head, and brace-rods between the latter and the adjacent part of the body, ahandle fitted to the upper side of the latter, the rear part having a slidable bearing upon the carpet,and a substantially U -shaped frame having its transverse end hinged to the rear part of the body, the opposite sides of the frame passing forwardly at opposite sidesof the body, loosely through I the respective guides provided upon the cross-head, projecting in advance of the latter, and provided at their extremities with means for engagement with the floor. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

NILLIAM I-I. DEXTER. \Vitnesses:

JOHN W. ENGLISH, R. J. BALFOUR. 

